Goals from Harry Wilson and Florian Wirtz were initially ruled out for offside at Craven Cottage, before VAR overturned an on-field decision and allowed the goals.
The Premier League has explained why Florian Wirtz’s goal in Sunday’s 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Fulham was allowed. On Sunday afternoon, Wirtz finished past Bernd Leno to make it 1-1, but the offside flag was raised.
The Liverpool forward was played in by Conor Bradley in the box but appeared to be offside and the linesman’s flag was immediately raised. Wirtz did not argue and Liverpool looked set to be denied a second goal after Kodi Gakpo was flagged for offside.
However, after a significant delay at Craven Cottage, VAR confirmed that the German was in fact onside when the pass was given to him in the 57th minute. “VAR checked the referee’s no-goal decision and confirmed that Wirtz was in an onside position and recommended that the goal be conceded,” Premier League Match Center said in a statement.
Former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was surprised by the decision, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “If you watch the replay of the Liverpool goal, every frame that stopped in goal looks offside. It’s bizarre.”
read more: Premier League announces new perspective after VAR intervention forced in Fulham vs Liverpoolread more: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim withdraws suggestion of Bruno Fernandes returning from injury after Leeds draw
It was the second time in the same game that an on-field decision had to be overturned after VAR had to intervene. Harry Wilson put Fulham 1-0 up in the first half from a pass from Raul Jimenez, but the flag went up.
However, like Wirtz, his goal was ultimately cleared after being checked by officials at Stockley Park. “VAR checked the referee’s no-goal decision, confirmed that Wilson was in an onside position, and recommended that the goal be conceded,” the match center said.
Both offside calls were very close, with VAR confirming both stands were allowed after the assistant referee raised the wrong flag.
Wilson put Fulham ahead in the 17th minute after receiving a perfectly timed run and pass from Jimenez. The in-form Welshman shook off Ryan Gravenbirch and then fired a powerful finish past Alisson into the bottom corner. The goal was ruled out for offside, but VAR revealed Virgil van Dijk had actually played Wilson onside as the last man on.
Liverpool thought they had won the game in stoppage time when Gakpo hit Jeremy Frimpong’s cross at the back post. However, Fulham substitute Harrison Reid made it 2-2 in the 97th minute with a superb long-range shot to give his side a point.
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